Have you ever felt misunderstood, or like someone wanted you to act or look a certain way? In my experience, it’s incredibly frustrating when you feel like you can’t be your authentic self. Well, a little bit ago, I was talking to Joy and Aerick, co-owners of a local movement (dance, yoga & pilates) studio. They had experienced similar frustrations.
The dance world can feel intimidating to those outside of it. But Joy wants everyone to know that dance is for anyone, at any age and any skill level. In past interviews about their studio, Move With Joy, that message often got lost. Those stories tended to highlight Joy’s dance credentials, making the studio seem more competitive than welcoming.
But when Joy and their partner Aerick spoke with PMN, it was a different experience. In our chat, Joy said there was no spin, no pressure to fit a certain image of what a dance studio “should” be. Their story was shared just as they told it – genuine, welcoming, and true to who they are.
Thanks to the support of our community, people like Joy and Aerick are able to share their authentic stories, in the way they want to share it – without anyone telling them how they should or shouldn’t present themselves and their studio.
“It felt great to be understood,” Joy gushed. I could hear the smile that must have been on their face.
Check out their videos from Amplify Kalamazoo here and here.
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